Traditional Irish Music was born of two broad sources; instrumental music played to accompany dance (reels, jigs, hornpipes, polkas etc.), and the tradition of the sean nós; the singing style of solo Gaelic (and nowadays English) with no instrumental involvement. (laments, ballads, love songs, etc.).
The instruments of traditional music are what give the music a recognisable style;

The Uillean Pipes.
The most popular instrument, mainly associated with Irish dancing. They are similar to the Scottish bagpipes but create a softer gentler note to the screaming Scottish sound.

The Fiddle.
Also used to produce music for dancing giving a relaxed, lively sound. Often replaced with a violin today.

The Flute.
Gives woody tones and is often played in addition with accentuated breathing.

The Tin Whistle.
Gives a distinct lift and lilt scattered through the tunes.

The Bodhrán.
(Goat skin drum). More traditional to West-Cork and Kerry used to create a recognisable energy throughout the music.

The Hard Shoed Foot.
The most important yet often forgotten of instruments. The music of the shoes produced by tops of heels and soles on the floor and against each other and during dancing.

One of the strongest features of traditional music is its ability to change and absorb outside influences to create a musical language that is recognised as Irish. "'Irish' means absorbing other influences and making them feel at home"- Ciaran Carson. Irish Traditional Music. 1986.
The traditional character of Irish music was spread through the handling down from generation to generation through the listening and imitation of performers within the home, pub or other social gatherings such as weddings, wakes, festivals and Fleadhs. Because of this the essence of the music and song is variation. No one tune or song is played or sung the same twice. It can take many possible shapes according to the musician, circumstance or atmosphere of the performance. There are no strict rules or forms to traditional music, although it is said that "there is only one way of becoming a traditional player or singer and that is by listening to genuine material performed in a traditional manner" - Breandán Breannach. Folk Music and Dances of Ireland.

Irish music is concerned with Irish life - the craic, the conversation, the memories. It is inseparable from life and can happen anywhere. Today it is still played, but is often found interwoven with other musical contemporary traditions from dance and rave music to African sounds. This type of marriage only demonstrates stronger the versatility of Irish music. Yet it will always remain most enjoyed in the local pubs around Ireland in the Traditional gathering of the community.

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